Watercooler Stories

Good Samaritan's bike stolen

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A former city commissioner in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said someone stole his bike after he left it to check on two drivers involved in a traffic collision.

Former City Commissioner Tim Smith said he left his bike on the sidewalk after witnessing the crash Monday and after he made sure both drivers were uninjured, he returned to find his bicycle missing, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday.

Smith, who led a successful push for a citywide bike registration program to make it easier for police to investigate stolen bikes during his time as a commissioner, told officers his bike was not registered.

American gator found at Aussie campsite

PAMBULA , Australia, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Australian wildlife officials said an American alligator found at a campsite in Pambula was likely a former pet.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service said the 5-foot-long alligator, which was caught by vacationing snake handler Hans Rasker, was likely an exotic pet that either escaped or was released into the wild, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Wednesday.

Senior ranger Robin Kesby said releasing exotic animals into the wild is illegal.

"The animal was taken into care by wires as a temporary measure and it's going to be transported to Mogo Zoo," he said. "We initially thought that it was a saltwater crocodile but on advice from people at Taronga Zoo who are experts in this field, they've told us that it's actually an American alligator."

Bopper casket to go on eBay

HILLSBORO, Texas, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The son of 1950s rock 'n' roll pioneer J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson says he intends to auction his father's casket, which is on display in Texas, on eBay.

Jay Richardson, 49, who was born three months after his father died alongside rock stars Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens in a Feb. 3, 1959, plane crash, said the proceeds from the auction will go toward a musical show about The Big Bopper and other projects to keep his father's memory alive, the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise reported Wednesday.

The 16-gauge steel casket was exhumed in 2007 from Forest Lawn Cemetery in Beaumont to allow for it to be moved to a more visible location alongside a statue and historical marker. The casket was replaced in late 2007 and the old casket was put on display at the Texas Musicians Museum in Hillsboro.

"I have no personal use for the casket," Richardson said. "When you get down to it, it is just a metal box. More important is what this particular metal box represents."

"In another 200 years, will people care about rock 'n' roll?" he said. "Who knows? But why would I want to destroy it? Even though it was Dad's resting place for 48 years, it's also a unique opportunity to learn more about the early years of rock 'n' roll."

Danica Patrick cited for speeding

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Police in Arizona said Indy Car racer Danica Patrick was pulled over for the activity she usually gets paid for -- speeding.

Scottsdale police said Patrick is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 5 after she was pulled over Dec. 9 in a gold 2007 Mercedes for driving 54 mph in a 35 mph zone, The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday.

The driver was previously cited for speeding in Scottsdale Jan. 5, when police said she was driving 57 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Patrick's win earlier this year at the Indy Japan 300 certified her as the first woman to win an Indy Car race. She was named Rookie of the Year in 2005 by the Indy Racing League.